2.7l Engine Failure???

I have a 2012 Tacoma SR 2.7l 5 speed with 116,756 miles. This summer it started losing copious amounts of oil. My local mechanic found a small hole in side of block just below 2nd frost plug. I took it to local Toyota dealer who confirmed diagnosis and said they had never seen anything like it. They suggested I call Toyota Customer Service. I did and was told it is not their problem as it is beyond 5 yr/60k powertrain warranty. They said if I had wanted longer protection, I should have taken out an extended warranty. The local dealer said they could install a used engine with a 3 yr warranty for $8,000. I bought the truck new for 24k and have run it in 10 Vermont winters. The frame has significant rust, but not enough to qualify for frame recall, which expires for this model next spring. Do you think I should repair the truck or sell for parts and buy something else? Some people have suggested welding the block or covering with epoxy. Repairing the existing engine sounds expensive and may not fix the problem. This is certainly a problem I never expected to happen. The only thing I can think of is it was a combination of exterior rust and a bad cast. I have always run synthetic oil and changed it every 5,000 miles. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. I am leaning toward selling as-is and buying something else. I have attached a picture of the hole in block.

 

I have no idea what could cause a pinhole in a block. Never seen that before. But I'd be tempted to JB Weld that bitch and see if it fixes it.

 

I thought the frame was 12 years coverage.

Anyhow, I too have never seen that issue?
How does the rest of the truck look?

The following items would be on the list to consider

Differentials
Transmission
Transfer case
Brake lines

 

Holy Guacamole! That looks terrible! Truth though: I'm from the desert and any rust makes me squirm.

I'd shoot some brake cleaner on that hole and plug it with JB weld then wait for the truck to fall apart around me.

 

Most likely there was a flaw in the block when it was manufactured. Over time the flaw got worse and became a hole in the block. I had something similar on a Ford truck I once had. Fortunately it was under warranty and they replaced the engine.
With all the rust you have and who knows what else it’s not worth spending $8000 on that truck to replace the engine. Id try to plug the hole with a little weld and run it as long as you can. If that isn’t successful then I’d sell it for what ever I could and get another truck.

 

That photo looks like a pic of the titanic at the bottom of the ocean, damn

The frame has to be done for if the engine looks that bad. I would try another dealer and have them check it

 

I would plug that with JB Weld and possibly a screw. That is the worst engine rust I have ever seen.

 

Screw the dealers do a self exam with a hammer there's got to be a hole about to break thru based on the rust on that engine.

 

Park it and patiently scour local salvage yards along with online and find another used 2.7 then install DIY or local shade tree mechanic. It can be done for much cheaper than $8k. Drive it then get the frame reevaluated before the recall expires.

 

Short block straight from toyota is $2650. https://parts.toyota.com/p/Toyota_2...D/Engine-Short-Block/62994841/1140075381.html

This is likely the route i'd go. Just have your cylinder head resurfaced, and a new head gasket and you should be good to go.

More info on replacement in here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2tr-fe-performance-thread.636292/#post-21902910

 

What they said.

 

thats a LOT of CORROSION to Only be 10years old

the hole beat the freeze plug from giving up

 

Report it stolen…

 

Report it stolen…

 

Yes! park it in most any major city with the keys in the ignition and a sign that says please do not steal.

 

I knew a person who had an engine failure like this on the road in a truck. (hole in the block) He did a temporary "field repair" by filling the hole with JB Weld and they went on their way for over 1,000 miles intending to repair the hole with a weld when they got back. They never repaired it: the JB Weld repair held and was still working years later. They were told to leave it alone. (Note: "field repair" is a hint as to what kind of truck...)

 

I'm with some of the others. Fix it. It's not a huge hole. Clean it up and use JB Weld. I think I might run a small self tapping screw in it 1st....just to help plug. Then epoxy it.

At this point it's not really drivable. Might as well do what you can to fix it on the cheap 1st

 

I'm curious, given the suggestions of patching it with JB weld, epoxy, self tapping screw, etc. why not toss an actual small weld bead on the hole? Would that not be the most robust patch job approach? I'm not bashing the other suggestions, this is an honest question.

 

Welding cast iron is a pain and requires someone who knows how to weld it. Not to mention, good luck getting all the rust and crap out of there prior to welding. That would be tough even on mild steel.
I'm in the camp of installing a self tapping screw, back it back out a little, smear on your sealant of choice and snug it back down. I'd find a stainless self tapper of the appropriate size.

 

It's a good question. JB Weld works, especially with a little prep and in a pinch it will probably hold until a more permanent repair can be done: like a weld, or adding on more JB Weld. ;^]